A general American popular culture term for a youngwoman .who spends her free time at the beach. In surf culture it may also refer to a female surfer. Beach bunnies are known for the amount of time they spend sun tanning and are usually represented wearing bikinis," see w:Muscle Beach Party and w:Gidget.

When a surfer is on the "inside" and trapped between the shoreline and breaking waves. Oncoming waves can make paddling back outside difficult, hence being "caught" in an undesirable position. This usually means the surfer will have to wait for a lull between the larger breaking waves for a chance to slip into clear water.

A classic surfing move used to change direction when streaking ahead of the curl of a wave with a powerful turn back towards the breaking part of the wave (white water). Cutbacks are an important element in surfing as the maneuver repositions the surfer closer to the power of the wave. See also Roundhouse cutback.

Slang for delaminated. A condition of surfboard fiberglass, usually on the deck, where the fiberglass has deteriorated and separated from the foam core, thus creating an unfavorable surface for standing.

A reference to the direction further along the crest of a wave from the location from where a surfer drops into the wave. The direction toward which the surfer is riding. Waves can also be described as "down-the-line" when the wall is long and fast.

A method for getting through a broken or large wave without being washed towards the shore. Basically, rolling the board over so the water rushes over the underside (which is facing upwards). Also known as a turtle roll.

A surfer who places their right leg forward while surfing. This is more common for a left handed person, although may not necessarily relate to a person's "handedness". See also natural footed, the opposite stance.

A wave condition in which a swell rises very quickly as it passes from deeper water to shallow water. A radical shoaling process caused by an extreme variation in water depth as the swell hits the shallow reef or ocean floor. Often creates very hollow and intense waves that appear to grow suddenly in height; thus "jacking up".

(slang,Australia) A jake, or rockaway jake, is somebody in the line-up and unconsciously causing trouble or problems for their fellow surfers. A jake is usually a beginning surfer and surfers use jake similar to how netizens use newbie. See also kook.

Any person who is in the line-up and unconsciously causing trouble or problems for their fellow surfers. A kook is usually a beginning surfer and surfers use kook similar to how netizens use newbie. Can also be used as an insult. See also jake.

A cord used to prevent the board being washed away from the surfer. Surfboard leashes are usually attached to the ankle, whereas bodyboard leashes are usually attached to the wrist. Also called "leg rope". Also "ankle rope" in Australia.

The line up is often mistakenly thought to be the line of surfers waiting for waves just beyond the breaking waves.

The phrase was originally used, and still is, to describe the line a breaking wave follows. From when the wave starts breaking, following the line of the reef or sandbank. The "line up" is used to decribe the rideable part of the wave that a surfer will follow. To paddle through the line up is considered to be both dangerous and rude behaviour. This is a mistake often made by many beginner surfers, resulting in frightening near misses or dangerous accidents.

Term given to hostility displayed by local surfers to surfers visiting what the locals consider to be their break. The hostility can range from graffiti, verbal abuse in the line up, wiping of surf wax over the windscreen of the visitor's car, to physical violence (as preferred in Hawai'i allegedly).

60's style longboard, made with heavy glass, long parrell 50/50 rails, and deep single fin. Made especially for triming, (walking the board) and for noseriding. Aussies use the term "mal" for most all longboards.

The area outside of the lineup or break line where surfers in the lineup initially observe sets of waves as they approach. Often a term used to warn other surfers in the lineup that a new set of waves is approaching. "Outside!" Same as "out-the-back" (often used by Australian surfers.)

The worst kind of wipeout in which a surfer is sucked back over the top of the wave as it breaks, and free-falls down with the lip (the most powerful part of the wave). This type of wipeout can cause bad injuries because the surfer will likely hit the reef or ocean floor.

Variety of surf break when waves wrap around a point of land creating perfectly lined up, peeling waves. The waves actually interact with the bottom contours just offshore of the point to refract and wrap around the point.

A maneuver named after the character from the hunch back Notre Dame. The surfer resembles the Quasimodo because of his/her posture they are bending waiting to enter the barrel. Typically performed by long boarders.

The longways curvature of the underside of a board. More rocker means a more curved board, less means a flatter board. Generally a flatter board goes faster, but some curve is needed to stop the nose digging into the water, or to "fit" the curve of the wave.

A complete 180-degree directional change in which the surfer turns from the shoulder all the way back into the curl or whitewater of the breaking wave, before completing the ride. A very advanced maneuver, which is difficult to complete if enough speed isn't carried throughout the entire 180-degree turn. A roundhouse cutback is usually complemented by a foam bounce recovery off the approaching whitewater.

Surf conditions are cold and choppy with lots of churning. "It's too sharky to surf today," meaning, surf only a shark would like. Or if you're from an area such as northern California that has a large shark population sharky is used to describe a spot that has more than the usual number of large sharks and has more than likely has had an attack or numerous sightings. "Yeah super fun spot but real sharky." = great waves and big fish.

Used by surfers in South Jersey to describe a tourist who visits the seashore for a day (a daytripper), primarily to use the beach during the summer months.

Originated in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, deriving from the habit among daytrippers of bringing their lunch in a shoe box, thus depriving local businesses of the revenue the tourists would have spent on food. The term "shoobie" may sometimes now be applied to tourists who are more likely to wear shoes on the beach.

A dangerous condition, due to high tide or larger surf, where the waves break in one single "wall" onto the beach, often in shallow water. Getting caught in shorepound can be an unpleasant experience. Also called "shorebreak" or "wally" in some areas.

A surfer who deliberately takes off on the shoulder of a wave as opposed to its central peak or bowl, often out of fear and/or due to overcrowded conditions, usually not bothering to look for others already riding the wave and as a result outright or nearly dropping in on others ("shoulder hopping"). Almost always derogatory.

(slang,US) (noun and verb). Used to describe someone who deliberately "drops in" in front of a surfer who has the right-of-way. Also, someone who quickly sneaks behind another surfer with the right-of-way, putting his/her self in position to take more waves. Example: "Watch out for that guy, he's a serious snake!" Or: "You snaked me!"

The wooden strip which runs the length of the board, designed to give strength and rigidity to the board. These can either be single, for short boards or lighter weight long boards, or double or triple stringers for longboards. Double and triple stringers are great for using longboards in more powerful or large waves, but add weight to the board.

(slang, US West Coast) A "kook" or a "barney." i.e. a new/untalented surfer. Can also refer to local college students who are ignorant of proper surf etiquette and usually of questionable surfing ability. Example: "watch out for that peak, it's loaded with stu's!"

Riding with one's wrong foot forward, ie. opposite to one's usual natural/goofy preference. Or, a surfer who can ride with either foot forward. Generally such a surfer will ride forehand in both directions.

The condition of a surfboard connected to a submerged surfer after a wipeout. A surfboard that appears to be bobbing up and down on the surface of the ocean due to the underwater anchoring point, e.g., the unseen surfer, is tombstoning.

A paddling maneuver to help reduce resistance when paddling through whitewater, by rolling the surfboard upside down (with the fins up), and then holding on to the rails of the surfboard while underwater as the whitewater passes overhead. Used especially with longboards because the board's increased flotation makes "duckdiving" (the preferred method) difficult.

(slang,US) Term for Australian surfers. Not very polite. Implies that Australians are descended from convicts. Sometimes used as a comeback for "Seppo" (which comes from Aus. rhyming slang: Seppo is short for Septic Tank, which rhymes with Yank).

(slang,Australia) Urinating in one's wetsuit. Widely practiced, though it's not a good idea because the chemicals in urine can cause the rubber in a wetsuit to deteriorate more rapidly than normal. In cold water it helps one feel warmer though.